Recommendations for Wi-Fi watering system

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Silvrav

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#3020762 13-Jan-2023 09:45

Handle9:

What are you looking for? Multiple zones/programs or one irrigation run with drippers?

I'm in the process of setting this up. I'm integrating it directly to Home Assistant / HomeKit via Zigbee2MQTT and all seems pretty solid so far. I'm not using the app, which appears to be Tuya based.

I only need 1 or 2 zones max to run drippers into flower beds so it's perfectly fine. If I wanted something with multiple zones and mains powered then I'd be looking for a different solution.

How did the setup go? I am looking at something for our greenhouse now as well. Did the hub integrate well with HA?

I do have a conbee2 stick but I am thinking the range might be an issue to where my greenhouse sits.

qwertee

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#3020790 13-Jan-2023 11:19

Eva888: With hotter weather coming am thinking to get a watering system that works both with Google Assistant and an Apple phone. Nothing too complex. I just want all the patio pots and a few garden plants in close proximity to be watered especially when away for a few days in summer. Thinking to be able to turn it on at night for maximum moisture retention.

Some advice, pitfalls and recommendations welcome. Thanks.

I looked at the B-hyve 4 way controller from the Irrigation warehouse. So watching this thread.

Just be careful watering at night as you can get powdery mildew on the plants. Specially if you have annuals like begonias
and petunias. The moisture remains too long on the plants in the evening. I only water in the mornings.
If you do get it, use Spectrum fungicide fortnightly.

networkn

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#3021457 15-Jan-2023 09:58

Orbit Hyve has been excellent for us. Pretty seamless and intelligent. Doesn't water the lawn if it's been raining a reasonable amount recently, and I can water on demand, schedule etc from anywhere in the world.

itchyNZL

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#3050943 16-Mar-2023 18:24

snowfly:

Just finished setting up lawn irrigation, here is the initial setup:

Blueline mains pipe (20mm ID MDPE) is connected directly to incoming mains line to house - had this done as the pressure was too low at the end of standard garden taps (taps were usually 12/13mm pipes after many metres and bends of internal piping, causing pressure loss)
Rain bird 3500 popup rotor sprinklers
20mm low density pipe + 19mm poly pipe to sprinklers
2x pope 24vac solenoids (will add a 3rd soon to replace the non-smart green battery timer)
2x Shelly 1 Plus relays to switch solenoids
Home assistant with basic schedule

I am looking to create a similar setup. Would you mind sharing some photos of how you have done the relay-to-power connections?

snowfly

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#3072719 5-May-2023 15:06

itchyNZL:

I am looking to create a similar setup. Would you mind sharing some photos of how you have done the relay-to-power connections?

Hi @itchyNZL, sorry for the slow reply to this.

My setup now has 3 x 24vac solenoids, and I replace the 3 separate shelly relays, with a 4 channel wifi relay module (TYWB 4ch-RF).
The 4ch relay runs on tuya, and I've connected this into Home Assistant via local tuya.

Originally I had the shelly's wired similar to this, from this facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShellyIoTCommunitySupport/posts/2212472185518800/

Now my actual wiring looks like this with the 4ch relay board, I repurposed an old cat5e solid core cable to connect relay board + 24vac to each solenoid. (with each twisted pair going to each solenoid)

Handle9

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#3242740 30-May-2024 15:19

I've recently installed the dual zone version of Linktap. It's a hub with wireless control units, either all in one or it has a solenoid control unit which can be fitted onto existing solenoid systems.

I'm well impressed so far, particularly with their extremely well documented support for home assistant and other home automation systems. They support rain skip based on external weather data

The unit I bought (D1) also has inbuilt flow meters which is nice. The app is pretty fugly but has a really decent amount of functionality. I'll probably end up doing everything off home assistant anyway.

It's not cheap but it is a good system with lots of geeky stuff you can access. It's developed in Australia and they do ship to NZ as well.

Edit: The hub is ethernet only so bear that in mind. Range seems decent though, mine is working fine through a solid concrete wall.

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